So Much Community. So Much Passion. So Sorrento
WHY THIS PROGRAM?
SORRENTO WOW FACTORS
• SERVICE LEARNING: Engage with locals and give back
• COASTAL ITALY: Breathtaking views
• INTERNSHIPS: Earn credit and work experience
THE ATHENA TOUCH
What makes this Athena?
• SCHOOL MISSION: Matches Athena's vision of giving back
• SIZE: Small student-to-teacher ratio
• COMMUNITY: Personalized Italian feel
ACADEMICS
ACADEMICS in SORRENTO
WHY WE PARTNER WITH SANT’ANNA INSTITUTE-SORRENTO LINGUE:
Sant’Anna Institute and Athena are a perfect match when it comes to our shared missions of personalized study abroad, & an active focus on service learning & volunteerism. Giving back & global citizenry is the center of what we both do.
HISTORY:
Founded in 1998, Sant’Anna Institute has evolved into an international community where Italian and international students of all ages and from all corners of the globe can come together to exchange ideas, cultures, and projects.
EXPERIENCE:
You will be located in the historic center of town, with the beautiful coast as a backdrop.
HIGHLIGHT: Service Learning
A great way to engage with locals is to be part of a community service initiative, and you have that option in Sorrento with Service Learning. Your courses are intimately connected to the needs and various aspects of the community.
SERVICE OPTIONSCOURSES
Courses have the following % breakdown:
| COURSES | General % Offered |
|---|---|
HUMANITIES | 40% |
BUSINESS | 20% |
ARTS | 15% |
SOCIAL SCIENCES | 15% |
STEM | 10% |
SERENA VACCA
Overseas Advisor
Serena was born & raised in Sorrento. After attending the local foreign languages high school, she decided to pursue modern language studies & enrolled in a BA in Modern Languages & Literature at the “Federico II” University of Naples. Serena studied abroad at the University of Bristol, & this is where her passion for this field started to develop.
HIGHLIGHT: Internships
Double dip during your international experience and get both academic credit and internship hours while abroad! In Sorrento, you can intern in Hotel Management, Tourism, Business, and more!
INTERN OPTIONSSTUDENT LIFE
FIELD TRIPS & EXCURSIONS
Sorrento is an incredible place, but in your free time we will try to pry you away from this coastal paradise once or twice! Our field trips & excursions will be sure to enhance your experience in Italy. Typical options are:
• Capri
• Amalfi Coast
• Mount Vesuvius
• Pompeii
• Herculaneum
• Paestum
• Oplontis
• Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields)
• Museo Correale
• Solfatara di Pozzuoli
• Caserta
• Salerno
HOUSING
• The program package includes housing in double-occupancy rooms in a shared apartment; single rooms and homestay options are available upon request for an additional fee (limited availability and cannot be guaranteed).
• In the homestay, you’ll stay with a host family who will provide you with breakfast daily. You will be given the option to have 3 dinners per week with your host family as well (homestays are extra cost).
• Apartments come with fully furnished living areas, complete with a living area, 2 to 3 bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen.
FAQS
Will I be able to travel?
Yes! If you are looking for independent travel, there are weekends and breaks (semester) that allow for travel.
How many students are on the program?
A typical program will have anywhere from 12-50 students on the program. This makes for an incredibly personal and high-quality study abroad experience, things we at Athena pride ourselves on.
What is the food like?
Amazing! Sorrento will have many traditional Italian dishes, such as pastas, pizzas and fresh vegetables. Also, desserts are very important, so you will make sure you become familiar with gelato or pastries!
Vegetarians: Athena’s resident vegetarian gives Sorrento an 8 out of 10 for being vegetarian friendly!
Can I request to room with my friend?
Yes! You can certainly request who you would like to have as your roommate. This is done after you are accepted into the program; you will note this in your housing request forms.
How do I get to Sorrento?
You will fly into the Naples, Italy airport, which is only about 30 miles from Sorrento.
Do you provide flights?
We have partnered with STA Travel, an incredible student-focused travel agency. The good people there will be able to help all Athena students arrange flights overseas.
Go. Explore. Travel. Break out of your comfort zone and leave any doubts, fears, or insecurities behind. Take the opportunity and seize the day. I promise you won’t regret it...
MARIALEEN ELLIS
University of Alabama at Birmingham
THE CITY
CITY HIGHLIGHTS
What’s Sorrento Like?
An incredible Italian town on the Mediterranean coast, Sorrento is an absolutely charming place to study abroad. The picturesque cliffs and quaint narrow streets create a cozy, pleasant atmosphere. While the pace of life in Sorrento does allow you to slow things down if you choose, there are plenty of activities to do, from sports to shopping to enjoying the outdoors. With the town being on the smaller side, you have the chance to really get to know the locals. The warm, inviting Italian people will make this feel like home away from home.
CITY PERKS
The idyllic coastal scenery is an exceptional backdrop to a summer or semester abroad. Not to mention you will have all the incredible Italian cuisine you desire at your fingertips.
WEATHER
- MEDITERRANEAN: Sorrento has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters, and warm dry summers due to the altitude.
- WARMEST MONTH: The warmest month is July, with an average temperature range of 64-85 °F.
- COLDEST MONTH: The coldest month is January, with an average temperature range of 39-55 °F.
MAP
DID YOU KNOW?
Legend has it that Sorrento’s earliest history, & possibly its name, is related to the myth of mermaids, known as ‘sirens’. The story goes that Ulysses heard the Sirens’ song as he was sailing past Sorrento.
DID YOU KNOW?
The city center is still arranged according to the ancient Greek-Roman planimetry, with streets that cross at right angles.
MORE INFO
Contact Information:
For more info, please contact:
Enrollment questions
Serena Vacca – serena.vacca@santannainstitute.com
Internship and service learning questions
Emily Hammeren – emily.hammeren@santannainstitute.com
